Columbia County, GA Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Columbia County, GA, also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance, set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Key Facts
- Watering Window
- 4 p.m. to 10 a.m. daily
- In Effect
- Year-round
- State Law
- O.C.G.A. §12-5-7 (2010)
- Water Source
- Savannah River / Clarks Hill Lake
- Not Applicable
- Metro Atlanta district rules
Summary
Columbia County follows Georgia's statewide watering schedule, not metro-Atlanta district rules. Under the 2010 Water Stewardship Act (O.C.G.A. §12-5-7), outdoor watering is allowed daily only between 4 p.m. and 10 a.m., year-round, for anyone on an EPD-permitted system.
daily outdoor watering for purposes of planting, growing, managing, or maintaining ground cover, trees, shrubs, or other plants only between the hours of 4 p.m. and 10 a.m.
Full Breakdown
Columbia County sits in the Central Savannah River Area, drawing its supply from the Savannah River and Clarks Hill (J. Strom Thurmond) Lake, so the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District rules that govern metro Atlanta do not apply here. Instead, the statewide schedule set by the Georgia Water Stewardship Act of 2010 controls: outdoor watering to grow or maintain plants is allowed only between 4 p.m. and 10 a.m., every day, all year. Hand-watering with an automatic shut-off, drip irrigation, new-planting establishment, food gardens, and private-well use are exempt and allowed anytime. During declared droughts, Georgia EPD and the county water utility can impose tighter limits.
Violations & Fines
Watering outside the 4 p.m. to 10 a.m. window violates state law and county utility rules. Enforcement starts with a warning and escalates to fines during drought stages.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I water my lawn in Columbia County?
Do metro-Atlanta watering rules apply here?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Columbia County
How Columbia County compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·Compare Columbia County to another location·View the Georgia landscaping rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.